Is C.J. Anderson a fluke or for real?

Over the last few weeks, we have seen backups take the reins at running back, whether it was for one game or the rest of the season. Below are some of the snap counts for these backfields, where there is not so much a split as a sign of who is considered the bell-cow in that situation.

In Atlanta, Tevin Coleman stepped in for the concussed Devonta Freeman and led the backfield with 18 touches on 43 snaps for 110 yards. He lost a fumble on what should have been a breakaway touchdown and failed to bring in either of his two targets. Freeman is back for Week 13, and Coleman will be going back to his handcuff status.

Different results in Kansas City where Spencer Ware took over RB duties for the Chiefs and the injured Charcandrick West, who was still nursing a hamstring injury. Ware made people who forgot about Jamaal Charles forget about West as well, piling up 120 yards and a touchdown on 22 touches. Outsnapping Knile Davis 53 to nine, Ware has 216 yards and three touchdowns in his last two games filling in for West. If he’s done enough to merit a timeshare, this may end up doing more bad than good for fantasy owners of either player.

In Baltimore, Javorius “Buck” Allen made his first start of the year in place of Justin Forsett, who is out for the year. Unlike the situations with Coleman/Freeman and Ware/West, Forsett’s broken arm will allow the Ravens to get a long look at Allen to see if he is the future running back of the franchise. Forsett is a journeyman who caught fire in 2014, but saw his numbers decline this season, culminating in a disappointing finish for owners who took him in the early rounds.

Allen made his presence felt, outsnapping newcomer Terrance West 36-13 and being very productive in the process. Allen had 16 total touches for the evening, scoring on one of his four receptions. He didn’t do too much in the yardage department, compiling only 84 total yards, but his 18.4 points (PPR) were higher than any single-game output for Forsett in 2015.

Thomas Rawls in Seattle continues to look good, putting up another 81 yards and a score, filling in admirably (or permanently) for Marshawn Lynch. He saw 40 snaps to Fred Jackson’s 18, and 21 touches to Jackson’s three.

For some established or budding RBBC splits and breakdowns, let’s look below.

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Chicago

Reaction: While Forte led them in snaps and touches, Langford saw some meaningful touches at the goal line, turning one rush into the only score between the two. Only two total catches by the duo was a bit disheartening, but the road game against Green Bay may have been a way to ease Forte back into the system after returning from a knee injury one month ago. In a perfect situation, both may get enough touches to stay relevant, which may end up hurting both backs’ upside depending on game flow.

Cincinnati

Reaction: Hill looked like the every-down back he was supposed to be this year, while Bernard was back to his change-of-pace role. If the fumbling problem is gone, look for Hill to take his ground-and-pound role and run with it, and possibly win you a fantasy league. Bernard was not as productive as he was a week ago, and the two seem to alternate usage, so look for both to get meaningful touches against the hapless Browns. When they played earlier in the season, Hill edged Bernard in touches (16-14), but Bernard paced him in yards (86-52).

Denver

Reaction: Like with Hill for Cincinnati, Anderson may be taking off late for fantasy owners who held onto him, hoping for something to happen. Anderson looked like his 2014 self on Sunday night, which may bode well for his owners. It also might prove to be just as disappointing as the last time the Broncos hosted a Sunday Night Football game against a previously undefeated team.

In the two games against Green Bay and New England, he has rushed for 214 of his 496 rushing yards (43%) and all three of his touchdowns. He has averaged 31.3 yards in the other nine games. It’s so hard to take that sample size and think he’s back, but if he is, then it’s just in time for your playoff push. Hillman continues to be serviceable, but might see his usage go down if Anderson continues to produce.

Detroit

Reaction: This trio feasted on the Eagles during their Thanksgiving tilt last week and combined for 33 touches and two touchdowns. The Eagles’ defense has been bad, so it may have been a product of a poor opponent more than anything else, as Philadelphia has given up 45 points in back-to-back games. Next up is a home game against Green Bay. Abdullah saw the bulk of the carries, Riddick is an extension of the passing game and Bell looks like the bruiser to end games. If Matthew Stafford has gotten back on track, this may open up running lanes for these three and add a new element to the Lions’ offense.

New England

Reaction: It was a strange game flow for New England, losing most of its top receiving options. Blount should have had a bigger role against Denver, especially with a two-score lead in the second half, but it wasn’t meant to be. White does not look like the next Dion Lewis either, failing to make the transition seamless for New England.

Bolden has now scored a long receiving touchdown for the second time in four games since Lewis has been out. However, he has not gotten enough usage for fantasy owners to consider him starting him over White. The Eagles come into town this week and without Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, Lewis and a hobbled Danny Amendola, Tom Brady may have to rely on all three to get the offense going.

In Week 13 we will get a chance to see how the Chicago, Kansas City and Atlanta backfields fare or if they turn into full-fledged RBBCs. We will also get to see if the RB1 production out of Lacy, Hill and Anderson was a fluke or a great sign heading into the playoffs.

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Michael Vincent is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Michael, check out his archive and follow him @MVtweetshere.